You are invited to attend the Autism Awareness Rally planned for February 27th, 2008, at noon in the Capitol Rotunda. We are inviting families from around the state to come and share their stories with their legislator and gather together in support of issues that are common to all those living with autism. It would be great to bring your children, if they can tolerate the crowd. We would like to put a Face on Autism.

Legislators and individuals connected with supporting autism issues this legislative session will speak. Currently, 1 out of 150 children are being diagnosed with autism. Often the waiting lists to receive a diagnosis and then appropriate treatment are months long. This is a difficult waiting time for families.

An Autism Spectrum Disorder can have a devastating impact on families affected by it. Several bills supported by the Autism Society of Washington are directed toward easing some of the distress families feel and thus go toward helping to preserve the family unit. Those bills are:

• HB 2862/SB 6448: Intensive Behavior Support Services- Directed toward preserving the family through behavioral services provided at home and in the community.
• SB 6736/HB 3078: Live Long Learning Act- Directed toward providing meaningful day services to young adults with significant disabilities interfering with work, therefore needing other activities to preserve their quality of life.
• HB 2900/SB 6713: Early Intervention Services- Directed toward providing full funding for this entitlement program to preserve families’ ability to find help for their child early.
• SB 6760: Developmental Disabilities Land Trust- Directed toward preserving funds from excess properties at RHCs for the use by DD employment and Individual and Family Services.

The Rally is sponsored by the Autism Society of Washington and I hope to see you at the Autism Rally on Feb. 27th… For information email Patty Gee. ASW president, at PattyJGee@comcast.net.